<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary information extracted from the General Dynamics
Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 1996, and the related
consolidated Statement of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 1996
and is qualified in its entirety to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                             205
<SECURITIES>                                       825
<RECEIVABLES>                                      148
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                        561
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 2,099
<PP&E>                                           1,223
<DEPRECIATION>                                     823
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   3,222
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                              869
<BONDS>                                             38
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           184<F1>
<OTHER-SE>                                       1,417<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     3,222
<SALES>                                            893
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   893
<CGS>                                              810
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                      810
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   1
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     98
<INCOME-TAX>                                        33
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 65
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                        65
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.51<F1>
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.51<F1>
<FN>
<F1>Data has been restated to give retroactive recognition to the company's
two-for-one stock split authorized on March 4, 1998 by the board of directors.
</FN>